Four missing after police helicopter disappears
Image: FILE
A HELICOPTER carrying four investigators has gone missing in Kruger National Park while investigating an animal carcass.
Search efforts are underway, but poor weather conditions have hampered progress, IOL reported.
The aircraft departed at about 9am and never returned.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said attempts to reach the crew by radio and cellphone failed, and it was only by evening that authorities realised something had gone wrong.
"The chopper disappeared during an investigation after a report was brought to the attention of law enforcers that there was a carcass that was discovered hence the probe to find out circumstances thereof," Mdhluli said.
"The aircraft, which was on this routine operation, had a pilot and two SAPS investigators as well as an environmental crime investigator aboard.
"A report indicates that the team departed around 9am and did not return as anticipated."
Mdhluli said efforts to establish communication with the helicopter crew yielded no results due to poor signal.
"It is suspected that the chopper could have been flying low," Mdhluli said.
"All attempts to reach them via their mobile phones and other means were unsuccessful.
"It was only in the evening that it was realised something was wrong, prompting immediate action to locate them."
In response to the situation, another helicopter equipped with night vision capabilities, alongside drones, was deployed to assist in the search efforts.
"Unfortunately, due to poor weather conditions, the helicopter had to be withdrawn; however, the drones continued their search throughout the night," Mdhluli said.